[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_5DPMTfK-k&w=480&h=360]

STORMY AFTERNOON: Showers and thunderstorms will develop over the far eastern and southeastern counties this afternoon and quickly move into Illinois by evening. Some of the storms could be strong to severe with large hail and damaging winds being the main threats. A tornado is possible across Illinois, but unlikely across the eastern counties of Iowa.

END OF WEEK RAIN: Another disturbance moves through the state Thursday and Friday with some showers and thunderstorms as well. None of these storms at this time look to become severe. Temperatures throughout this period will remain in the 60s and 70s across the state.

BIG STORM: The biggest and baddest storm on the board looks to come in right as the month switches to April. A strong negative tilt trough will dig into the central Plains and with it a low pressure will form over Nebraska and slowly move into the state. Some showers and thunderstorms will be possible ahead of the storms. Some of these could be severe, we’ll have to keep an eye on this system in coming days. The low will cut off from the jet stream and with the cold air aloft, temperatures will be held down substantially, thus it wouldn’t be much of a surprise around the 3rd or 4th of April to see some wet snowflakes mixed in with the cold rain. The colder air that has been seen on the last two days has gone away replaced with average to slightly above average readings.